Spirit of Mum snubbed; online rage on youths death

Mumbai, Nov 3: With the two persons who had to let go off their life after being fatally stabbed trying to protect their female friends from being eve-teased, the duo Keenan Santos, 25, and Rueben Fernandes, 28 are being hailed as bravehearts who stood for what is right no matter what.

With the incident shocking the nation, the murder stunned all, especially the youth in the country. With the intention to make sure that the case does not die down, a Facebook campaign has been launched to bring to justice those involved in the heinous crime. The campaign has evoked responses with as many as 20,000 fans trying to force authorities to take just action.

The incident also saw another stark reality emerge when Priyanka Fernandes, Keenan Santos' girlfriend said that no one in the area came forward to help them. Friends of the duo have come forward to make sure that such incidents do not repeat in the streets of Mumbai.

Keenan's father Valerian Santos who showed great resolve at such distressed times, said to a popular media channel, "I lost my son and I wish, I say, I have another two sons and I wish them also to be brave and to never bow down in front of this."

The incident happened when a group of seven was returning home after watching the India-England ODI at a bar-cum-restaurant in Andheri. When the group stopped at a paan shop, the female members were harassed and lewd comments were passed on them led by main accused Jitendra Rana.

According to police reports, Santos and Fernandes protested the shameful behaviour and managed to drive them out of the area. But a few minutes later, Rana returned with close to 15 men and started attacking the group which led to Santos and Fernandes getting fatally stabbed.

The police have arrested Rana and three others on charges of murder. The weapon used for the murder has also been recovered. The police custody of the 21 accused in the case will end on Thursday with the court deciding on what punishment to give the culprits.

A webpage has been set up by Querida Fernandes that gives a complete account of what transpired that led to the brutal killing. Benjamin, Rueben Fernandes's brother said on the webpage created, "The main purpose of the page is to make sure that such an incident does not occur again."